Colman Noctor: Porn is now the first sex educator for children

Porn reduces sex to acts and mechanics, omitting connection, consent, and affection

Before children are given smartphones they should be told about sex and the pornography industry. Picture: iStock

ASK parents what age children first encounter pornography and you’ll hear: ‘Around 16 or 17.’ Actually, exposure occurs much earlier, in early adolescence and sometimes before puberty and before the child has developed a genuine interest in sex. 

It isn’t usually because they seek it out. More often, it’s because the algorithm-driven online world is indifferent to age, readiness, or emotional development.